Monday, May 10, 2021

As the Tide Comes In

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

WOODSMALL, CINDY
WOODSMALL, ERIN
AS THE TIDE COMES IN

A New York Times best-selling author releases her first southern novel, a Steel Magnolias-meets-Sweet-Home-Alabama story set on St. Simons Island.

After losing two loved ones in a devastating tornado and suffering a head injury, Tara Abbott flees to St. Simons Island, where her disorientation causes the lines between imagination and reality, past and present to blur.

There she encounters island residents Julep Burnside, Luella Ward, Sue Beth Manning, and Dell Calhoun -- The Glynn Girls -- who have been friends since Bible camp, forty years earlier. When Julep's son Gavin identifies a troubled soul in need of help, can the Glynn Girls guide Tara back to herself?

My Review:

published in 2018

True confession: I checked this book out of the library three times before I actually made it through to the end. The first two times I reached the same point early on in the story and, well, the authors deliver a lethal literary sucker punch that rocked my tender bibliophile heart to the core  and I just couldn't read on. But this time I relied on my hoard of comfort chocolates and tissues and soldiered on and am I ever glad I did!

What a stunning story! It's haunting in some ways but hopeful in others as the Lord takes center stage in the broken lives of hurting people. There's romance (two, in fact) but they aren't the focus of this beautiful, redemptive tale. There's plenty of drama as several characters journey through grief and the every day upheaval losing a loved one can cause.

Lest I give the impression that this is a heavy, depressing book, let me assure you that it's anything but. There's plenty of humour, largely sparked by the outlandish antics of The Glynn Girls -- four ladies of middling years who also claim 'mamaship' to Gavin, though only one birthed him. 

Gavin puts up with a lot from his mamas, even more from the perpetual hazing of his firehouse crew and then there are his run ins with Tara! Some of them are hilarious even as they highlight the kind and compassionate man he is. (insert swoony sigh here.) 

And then there's Tara -- watching her struggle about ripped my heart out! And the way Gavin and the Glynn Girls rally around her...well, sniffle...(not before some crazy misunderstanding, mind you.) And, oh my, that plot twist is a doozy! 

Told from multiple points of view, As the Tide Comes In is a captivating slice of real life in all it's glorious mess and a beautiful example of sweet, inspirational Southern Fiction.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of As the Tide Comes In, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 15  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

20 comments:

  1. Multiple POV sounds like multiple voices! Add me to hear them as several hearts blend. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. It's a richly layered story for sure. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  2. Real life can hold so many trials yet so many great things can happen. I enjoyed your review. Cindy is one of my favorite authors and I would love to read As the Tide Comes in.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. These authors really capture all the emotions that come with living in this world. It's really amazing. Good luck, rubynreba!

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  3. Oh wow! Sounds like a good one!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  4. I love books with more than one set of parent/s, it always makes for a fun story!
    readreviewrejoiceATgmailDOTcom

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    1. The Glynn Girls are hoot. Good luck, Kaylee.

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  5. I enjoy books with a Southern setting and would really like to read this book. Thank you for the review and the giveaway opportunity. golden0522ATmsnDOTcom

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    1. Southern fiction is kinda new for me but I've loved the books I've read so far. Good luck, Judy!

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  6. She always has a great story line and like that fact that she is writing with her daughter in law. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes, it's an interesting partnership. I've only read one other by them but it was fantastic too. Good luck, Kim!

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  7. I've been dutifully warned....cue the tissues, and plenty of them. :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Sniffle. It's best to be prepared. Good luck, Trixi!

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  8. Well, bless your heart - ya gotta love some southern Inspirational reading! I know I do. "AS THE TIDE COMES IN" sounds like a marvelous book and knowing the author, I'm more than sure it is. Given your review, I would love the opportunity to take a walk on that pier as I turn the pages reading. Love the scene and the colors on the cover.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. This is right up your alley, Kay. :-) Good luck, Kay!

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  9. Wow! I'm super intrigued! Definitely need to check this one out!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's a different kind of read and totally captivating. Good luck, Melissa!

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  10. Sounds like a heart breaking one this time, but love to read them. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes, have a tissue...box...handy. :-) Good luck, Becky!

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